Thursday, August 19
Lewisburg, Pa.
4 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
Youngstown State
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
First Up! Women's Soccer Kicks Off 2021-22 Athletic Season with Pair of Home Matches
8/18/2021 11:23:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Youngstown State (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Horizon League) at Bucknell (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Patriot League)
When: Thursday, Aug. 19, 4 p.m.
Where: Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Towson (0-0-0, 0-0-0 CAA) at Bucknell (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Patriot League)
When: Sunday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m.
Where: Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
In-Depth Season Preview
Bucknell at a Glance
Coming off a COVID-disrupted 2020-21 season, the Bucknell women's soccer team has been thankful for a return to a more traditional preseason training camp this summer, and seventh-year head coach Kelly Cook noted that an increase in enthusiasm has been palpable leading into Thursday's season opener at home against Youngstown State.
"After only having a limited taste of soccer last year because of COVID, there has definitely been a renewed passion for the sport," said Cook. "When you have something taken away, you remember how much you love it, and I think that experience has created a high-energy group that is really excited to find out what we can accomplish this season. You can really feel that energy every day in training, and everyone is just feeding off each other."
After the fall 2020 campaign was canceled due to the pandemic, the Bison played a five-game, Patriot League-only schedule in the spring. Bucknell pulled a win and two draws from those five outings, and the defense wrote most of the headlines.
Albeit in a small sample size, Bucknell was statistically one of the nation's toughest teams on which to score last spring. The Bison conceded only two goals in 490 minutes, and the team's 0.37 goals-against average was the best in the Patriot League and sixth-best among all NCAA Division I squads.
The bulk of that defensive corps is back this year, so Cook once again harbors high hopes in the goal-prevention area. All-Patriot League center back Chloe Christakos has graduated, but the Bison bring back three experienced goalkeepers, five players with starting experience on the back line including both team captains, and an all-conference defensive midfielder in junior Petie Nessetta.
"I am very excited about the defensive side," said Cook. "We have three veteran goalkeepers who are great leaders and have pushed each other very hard all preseason. And then the back line consists of all returning starters who have been in it and understand the speed of the game. It's great to have both captains in Holly Burns and Claire Mensi in the center of the back line, where they can really control the game."
At the other end of the pitch, Bucknell's goal production must improve in order for the team to get back into title contention. The Bison managed just one goal in the five spring games, that coming on a set-piece header from Christakos in the win at American. But a host of newcomers in the attacking unit have brought optimism, particularly after a four-goal output in an away scrimmage at Saint Francis (Pa.) last week.
"The attack group has gotten better every time out throughout the preseason," said Cook. "We have a lot depth and a lot of new faces in the midfield and attacking units, and they have been able to score goals in a number of different ways. It's no secret that we need to finish our goal-scoring opportunities on a more consistent basis, but I think we're heading into the season with some confidence."
In goal, the Bison bring back the triumvirate of senior Raegan Dunwoodie, junior Kaylee Donnelly and sophomore Jenna Hall. Donnelly and Hall split each of the five games in goal last spring, and both put up impressive numbers. Donnelly started all five, with Hall coming on after the halftime break, and each gave up only one goal all season.
Hall made 10 saves in her collegiate debut, a 0-0 draw at Lafayette, and was named the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week and Rookie of the week for her efforts. Her .958 save percentage and 0.34 goals-against average were both the best marks in the league.
Cook said she would prefer to play one goalkeeper for the duration of the game, but with all three being so close heading into the season opener, she will be evaluating as the season progresses.
"I could not be more pleased with our goalkeepers," said Cook. "All three came into camp fit and ready to go, they are all great leaders, and they have really pushed each other in a positive way. Raegan has not has as much game experience as the other two, but she is a senior who really sets the tone with her work rate. She has emerged as not just a lead of the goalkeeper group, but within the entire team. Kaylee is the most experienced, having played throughout her freshman year and then splitting the games with Jenna last year. She has been there and knows what it takes to be successful at the college level. And Jenna just brings a tremendous presence in goal. She commands the box and is a terrific athlete."
In front of the goalkeeper, co-captains Burns and Mensi bring talent, experience and leadership to the central defense. Burns has started 41 of a possible 42 games in her career thus far, and she has been entrenched as one of the league's top center backs since moving from the midfield late in her freshman year. Burns played every minute of the five games in the spring and was a big reason why the Bison conceded only two goals all season.
Mensi, a two-year captain, is fit and ready to go after two major leg injuries disrupted her freshman and sophomore seasons. Mensi earned a starting berth as a freshman in 2018 and was tracking to be a Patriot League Rookie of the Year candidate before suffering a season-ending knee injury in mid-October. She was limited to one game in 2019 thanks to another injury, and then last spring she came back with limited minutes while playing mostly in an attacking role.
"Claire and Holly are both great captains even though they are different types of leaders," said Cook. "Claire is more vocal, and it's great to have her back on the back line. She has a powerful foot and is a big presence in the air. Holly has more of a put your head down and get it done style. She leads by example with a tremendous work rate and determination, and her teammates really look up to her."
At the two outside back spots, the Bison return three more veterans with starting experience in senior Alana Carlucci, junior Leanne Engemann and sophomore Lea Tarzy. Carlucci battled some injuries during her first two seasons but was a key contributor when healthy, and then last spring she started all five games at right back and played in 476 of a possible 490 minutes. Engemann started every game at left back as a freshman in 2019 and has turned in an outstanding preseason camp performance this summer. Tarzy was one of the team's top newcomers last spring, starting four of the five contests at left back. The Bison allowed only one goal in the four games in which she played.
"Alana is one of our strongest physical players," said Cook. "She is an excellent 1v1 defender and she also likes to get involved in the attack on the flanks. Lea had a great freshman year despite all of the challenges from COVID. She played a lot of minutes in the spring and provided another good attacking option as a great two-footed player. Leanne showed really well in our two scrimmages, which is emblematic of her great preseason. She prepared really hard this summer and is going to be a valuable part of our back line."
In addition to the large group of veterans in the back, Cook is also pleased to have a great deal of younger talent waiting in the wings. Sophomore Brooke Tracey is one of the fastest players on the squad and can play both center back and out wide. Senior Molly Mischler and juniors Kate Reinhardt and Alivia Handson bring some additional experience, and freshmen Olivia DeConninck, Laura Schmidt and Tess Sutter all have plenty of promise.
Sitting in front of the back four is holding midfielder Nassetta, who is coming off a breakout season in the spring. Nassetta earned Third Team All-Patriot League honors after playing 472 of a possible 490 minutes, the most among the midfield unit.
"Petie is a tremendous leader and one of the best defensive midfielders in the league," said Cook. "She worked very hard this summer on the attacking side of her game, and throughout preseason she has really moved the ball well to get our attack going."
Junior Abby Gearhart returns as a top-line central midfielder, and she will be flanked by a rotation of sophomore Kenar Gelman, freshman Teresa Deda, junior Ashley Groeber and sophomore Hannah Stuck. Freshman Reese Evans is also looking to break into that midfield mix.
Gearhart started 12 games as a rookie in 2019 and shared team high-scoring honors with seven points from three goals and an assist. She scored an 84th-minute game-winner against Towson and earned two Patriot League Rookie of the Week citations that season. Gelman and Groeber were both impact newcomers last spring. Gelman started three games and played in all five as a freshman, while Groeber was a key reserve after transferring to Bucknell from Saint Joseph's.
"Abby is a very dynamic player in an attacking midfield role," said Cook. "She is excellent both on and off the ball, and we need her to be a dangerous player who constantly threatens the opponent. Kenar is one of our most technically gifted players. She has a high soccer IQ and has the knack for reading the game very well. She can do special things with the ball, and her distribution is excellent. We are very excited about what Teresa has brought to the team. She has had a very strong preseason for a first-year player learning a new environment. She has great vision and creativity. Ashley is a strong two-way player who will see significant time whether it's as a starter or coming in off the bench. She brings a good spark, she tackles hard, and she serves a good ball from the wide areas. Hannah also worked really hard this summer and came back in great shape. She brings a ball-winning physical presence, and she will be key for us against bigger, more physical opponents."
Junior Rylee Donaldson and senior Emilene Parham are the most experienced players in the forward group. The speedy Donaldson had a goal and an assist as a freshman in 2019, and Parham has collected a pair of goals thus far, including the tally in a 1-0 win over Boston University that earned her a Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week award as a sophomore.
"Rylee is very fast, just a tremendous athlete who can get in behind defenders and create all kinds of problems," said Cook. "Emilene is a very crafty player who brings a ton of experience and technical ability."
A host of younger players will be vying for goal-scoring opportunities as well, including freshmen Paige Temple, Kalli Wethern, Kelley Francis and Katie Schiano, along with sophomore Mary Santelli. Temple led nearby Bloomsburg High School to a state championship last fall, with the last of her 90 career goals giving her team a 1-0 win in the state final. Francis scored 71 goals in just 31 career high school games in Colorado, and all of the young forward have performed well in training.
"Paige is physical and aggressive, and she has shown a knack for finding many different ways to score goals," said Cook. "Kalli is a strong, fast, athletic striker. She plays a bit more direct, and she came into preseason ready to go. Kelley is a small, technical player who loves to take defenders on 1v1. She can score and create chances for others."
The Bison open the season with three straight home games against Youngstown State, Towson and West Virginia. The Mountaineers, who are ranked 12th in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, come to Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium on Friday, Aug. 27 for the first meeting between the two teams since WVU's 3-0 win in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
The Bison will also play NCAA Tournament-caliber teams such as Hofstra, Princeton and Monmouth on the road to help prepare for the rigors of Patriot League play.
"Our non-conference schedule is very difficult, and that is by design," said Cook, who led the Bison to back-to-back Patriot League titles in 2016 and 2017. "We want to test ourselves against good competition who play a variety of styles as we build up to Patriot League play."
When: Thursday, Aug. 19, 4 p.m.
Where: Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Towson (0-0-0, 0-0-0 CAA) at Bucknell (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Patriot League)
When: Sunday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m.
Where: Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
In-Depth Season Preview
Bucknell at a Glance
- Women's soccer is traditionally the first sport to debut in August, and this season is no different as Bucknell begins its 32nd season of varsity action with a pair of home matches this week. Youngstown State visits Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium on Thursday for the first-ever clash between the two teams, and then Towson comes in on Sunday afternoon.
- After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc with the 2020-21 season, the Bison have been able to get back to a more traditional preseason training session this month. The team returned to campus on Aug. 2 and played a pair of scrimmages against George Washington and Saint Francis (Pa.) in preparation for Thursday's season opener.
- Bucknell did play five Patriot League opponents in a modified spring schedule last March. The Bison went 1-2-2, with a 1-0 win over American, scoreless draws with Lafayette and Lehigh, and 1-0 losses to Loyola and Navy.
- Low-scoring games were the theme of the spring, as the Bison conceded only two goals and scored once in the five games.
- Bucknell's 0.37 team goals-against average was the best in the Patriot League and sixth-best in Division I in the abbreviated spring season. The only teams with better GAAs were Georgetown (0.28), South Dakota State (0.28), Evansville (0.34), Northern Kentucky (0.35) and Bowling Green (0.36).
- Bucknell graduated five players from last year's squad: Alex Catanzarite, Chloe Christakos, Sarah Hazard, Bri Kropinack and Jenna Marek. Christakos, a center back, was a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in the spring of 2021.
- Junior midfielder Petie Nassetta joined Christakos on the All-Patriot League squad in the spring. Nassetta was a Third Team choice.
- Bucknell was picked ninth in the Patriot League preseason poll, ahead of American and behind Navy, Boston University, Colgate, Army, Loyola, Lehigh, Lafayette and Holy Cross.
- Kelly Cook is in her seventh season on the Bison sideline. Cook owns a 52-41-10 (.553) overall record at Bucknell, including a 30-14-6 (.660) mark in Patriot League play. Cook knows the Patriot League very well, as she was a two-year captain and three-time Second Team All-Patriot League selection at Colgate, where she recorded 27 goals and 23 assists in her career. She ranked in the top 10 in program history in career points (77) and assists. As a junior in 2004, Cook (then Kelly Kuss) was named Patriot League Tournament MVP after leading the Raiders to the league title, and then her team knocked off Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, marking the first NCAA win in school and league history.
- Like Bucknell, Youngstown State played a league-only schedule in the spring last season. The Penguins finished 1-7-1 but finished the year on a positive note with a 4-1 home win over Robert Morris.
- Junior Marcella Sizer led the Penguins with three goals last season. In 2019, Sizer was a Second Team All-Horizon League and All-Freshman Team selection after leading the team with 13 points on five goals and three assists.
- Abriana Rondin and Bethany Rasile both logged a goal and two assists in the spring, and both are back this year.
- Youngstown State used five different goalkeepers in nine games in the spring of 2021. Kate McEachern (four games) and Brooklynn Kirkpatrick (three) saw the most action, but Zeeyana Jivraj made the most of her lone start with a 110-minute shutout with eight saves in a 0-0 draw with IUPUI.
- Brian Shrum is in his fourth season as head coach at Youngstown State. He was previously an assistant coach at Duquesne for six seasons. He helped the Dukes to a 2-0 win over Bucknell in Pittsburgh in 2015.
- This will be the first-ever meeting between the Bison and Penguins.
- Bucknell's last game against a member of the Horizon League was a 2-1 home loss to Wright State in 2019.
- The Tigers open their 2021 campaign at home against Saint Joseph's on Thursday night before heading to Lewisburg on Sunday.
- Towson finished 2-4-2 overall and 1-3-0 in the CAA North last spring, and the Tigers were picked to finish eighth in the CAA preseason poll. Their wins came against James Madison and Delaware, with the draws against UMBC and Saint Joseph's.
- Towson returns every player who started a game last spring, including seven players who started all eight games.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Riley Melendez was a Second Team All-CAA and CAA All-Rookie Team selection after playing every minute in goal for Towson last spring. She was a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week and finished the season with a 1.38 GAA and three shutouts.
- In addition to Melendez, midfielder Demi Pierre (Second Team), forward Nia Christopher (Third Team) and defender Phoebe Canoles (Third Team) all earned All-CAA honors last season. All four were freshmen.
- Towson scored seven goals from seven different players last spring. The Tigers were outscored 12-7 on the season, even though they outshot their opponents 116-100. Towson had conceded only five goals through seven games before ending the season with a 7-2 loss at Hofstra.
- Katherine Vettori is in her fourth season as head coach at Towson. She previously spent five seasons at nearby Loyola, leading the Greyhounds to a pair of MAAC championships in 2009 and 2012.
- The Bison and Tigers have met 11 times previously, with Bucknell holding a 7-4 edge in the series.
- Bucknell has won the last four meetings, including a 2-1 win at Towson in 2019 and a 1-0 verdict at home in 2018.
- Then-freshman Abby Gearhart played a starring role in the 2019 win at Towson. Back in the lineup after a four-game injury absence, Gearhart notched her first collegiate goal to break a 1-1 deadlock in the 84th minute. Another then-rookie, goalkeeper Kaylee Donnelly, made five of her six saves in the second half.
- Bucknell is 3-3 against Towson at home, but 2-0 since the Holmes Stadium facility was completed.
- Towson's last win over Bucknell was a 4-1 verdict at the James Madison Invitational in 2009.
Coming off a COVID-disrupted 2020-21 season, the Bucknell women's soccer team has been thankful for a return to a more traditional preseason training camp this summer, and seventh-year head coach Kelly Cook noted that an increase in enthusiasm has been palpable leading into Thursday's season opener at home against Youngstown State."After only having a limited taste of soccer last year because of COVID, there has definitely been a renewed passion for the sport," said Cook. "When you have something taken away, you remember how much you love it, and I think that experience has created a high-energy group that is really excited to find out what we can accomplish this season. You can really feel that energy every day in training, and everyone is just feeding off each other."
After the fall 2020 campaign was canceled due to the pandemic, the Bison played a five-game, Patriot League-only schedule in the spring. Bucknell pulled a win and two draws from those five outings, and the defense wrote most of the headlines.
Albeit in a small sample size, Bucknell was statistically one of the nation's toughest teams on which to score last spring. The Bison conceded only two goals in 490 minutes, and the team's 0.37 goals-against average was the best in the Patriot League and sixth-best among all NCAA Division I squads.
The bulk of that defensive corps is back this year, so Cook once again harbors high hopes in the goal-prevention area. All-Patriot League center back Chloe Christakos has graduated, but the Bison bring back three experienced goalkeepers, five players with starting experience on the back line including both team captains, and an all-conference defensive midfielder in junior Petie Nessetta.
"I am very excited about the defensive side," said Cook. "We have three veteran goalkeepers who are great leaders and have pushed each other very hard all preseason. And then the back line consists of all returning starters who have been in it and understand the speed of the game. It's great to have both captains in Holly Burns and Claire Mensi in the center of the back line, where they can really control the game."
At the other end of the pitch, Bucknell's goal production must improve in order for the team to get back into title contention. The Bison managed just one goal in the five spring games, that coming on a set-piece header from Christakos in the win at American. But a host of newcomers in the attacking unit have brought optimism, particularly after a four-goal output in an away scrimmage at Saint Francis (Pa.) last week.
"The attack group has gotten better every time out throughout the preseason," said Cook. "We have a lot depth and a lot of new faces in the midfield and attacking units, and they have been able to score goals in a number of different ways. It's no secret that we need to finish our goal-scoring opportunities on a more consistent basis, but I think we're heading into the season with some confidence."
In goal, the Bison bring back the triumvirate of senior Raegan Dunwoodie, junior Kaylee Donnelly and sophomore Jenna Hall. Donnelly and Hall split each of the five games in goal last spring, and both put up impressive numbers. Donnelly started all five, with Hall coming on after the halftime break, and each gave up only one goal all season.
Hall made 10 saves in her collegiate debut, a 0-0 draw at Lafayette, and was named the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week and Rookie of the week for her efforts. Her .958 save percentage and 0.34 goals-against average were both the best marks in the league.
Cook said she would prefer to play one goalkeeper for the duration of the game, but with all three being so close heading into the season opener, she will be evaluating as the season progresses.
"I could not be more pleased with our goalkeepers," said Cook. "All three came into camp fit and ready to go, they are all great leaders, and they have really pushed each other in a positive way. Raegan has not has as much game experience as the other two, but she is a senior who really sets the tone with her work rate. She has emerged as not just a lead of the goalkeeper group, but within the entire team. Kaylee is the most experienced, having played throughout her freshman year and then splitting the games with Jenna last year. She has been there and knows what it takes to be successful at the college level. And Jenna just brings a tremendous presence in goal. She commands the box and is a terrific athlete."
In front of the goalkeeper, co-captains Burns and Mensi bring talent, experience and leadership to the central defense. Burns has started 41 of a possible 42 games in her career thus far, and she has been entrenched as one of the league's top center backs since moving from the midfield late in her freshman year. Burns played every minute of the five games in the spring and was a big reason why the Bison conceded only two goals all season.
Mensi, a two-year captain, is fit and ready to go after two major leg injuries disrupted her freshman and sophomore seasons. Mensi earned a starting berth as a freshman in 2018 and was tracking to be a Patriot League Rookie of the Year candidate before suffering a season-ending knee injury in mid-October. She was limited to one game in 2019 thanks to another injury, and then last spring she came back with limited minutes while playing mostly in an attacking role.
"Claire and Holly are both great captains even though they are different types of leaders," said Cook. "Claire is more vocal, and it's great to have her back on the back line. She has a powerful foot and is a big presence in the air. Holly has more of a put your head down and get it done style. She leads by example with a tremendous work rate and determination, and her teammates really look up to her."
At the two outside back spots, the Bison return three more veterans with starting experience in senior Alana Carlucci, junior Leanne Engemann and sophomore Lea Tarzy. Carlucci battled some injuries during her first two seasons but was a key contributor when healthy, and then last spring she started all five games at right back and played in 476 of a possible 490 minutes. Engemann started every game at left back as a freshman in 2019 and has turned in an outstanding preseason camp performance this summer. Tarzy was one of the team's top newcomers last spring, starting four of the five contests at left back. The Bison allowed only one goal in the four games in which she played.
"Alana is one of our strongest physical players," said Cook. "She is an excellent 1v1 defender and she also likes to get involved in the attack on the flanks. Lea had a great freshman year despite all of the challenges from COVID. She played a lot of minutes in the spring and provided another good attacking option as a great two-footed player. Leanne showed really well in our two scrimmages, which is emblematic of her great preseason. She prepared really hard this summer and is going to be a valuable part of our back line."
In addition to the large group of veterans in the back, Cook is also pleased to have a great deal of younger talent waiting in the wings. Sophomore Brooke Tracey is one of the fastest players on the squad and can play both center back and out wide. Senior Molly Mischler and juniors Kate Reinhardt and Alivia Handson bring some additional experience, and freshmen Olivia DeConninck, Laura Schmidt and Tess Sutter all have plenty of promise.
Sitting in front of the back four is holding midfielder Nassetta, who is coming off a breakout season in the spring. Nassetta earned Third Team All-Patriot League honors after playing 472 of a possible 490 minutes, the most among the midfield unit.
"Petie is a tremendous leader and one of the best defensive midfielders in the league," said Cook. "She worked very hard this summer on the attacking side of her game, and throughout preseason she has really moved the ball well to get our attack going."
Junior Abby Gearhart returns as a top-line central midfielder, and she will be flanked by a rotation of sophomore Kenar Gelman, freshman Teresa Deda, junior Ashley Groeber and sophomore Hannah Stuck. Freshman Reese Evans is also looking to break into that midfield mix.
Gearhart started 12 games as a rookie in 2019 and shared team high-scoring honors with seven points from three goals and an assist. She scored an 84th-minute game-winner against Towson and earned two Patriot League Rookie of the Week citations that season. Gelman and Groeber were both impact newcomers last spring. Gelman started three games and played in all five as a freshman, while Groeber was a key reserve after transferring to Bucknell from Saint Joseph's.
"Abby is a very dynamic player in an attacking midfield role," said Cook. "She is excellent both on and off the ball, and we need her to be a dangerous player who constantly threatens the opponent. Kenar is one of our most technically gifted players. She has a high soccer IQ and has the knack for reading the game very well. She can do special things with the ball, and her distribution is excellent. We are very excited about what Teresa has brought to the team. She has had a very strong preseason for a first-year player learning a new environment. She has great vision and creativity. Ashley is a strong two-way player who will see significant time whether it's as a starter or coming in off the bench. She brings a good spark, she tackles hard, and she serves a good ball from the wide areas. Hannah also worked really hard this summer and came back in great shape. She brings a ball-winning physical presence, and she will be key for us against bigger, more physical opponents."
Junior Rylee Donaldson and senior Emilene Parham are the most experienced players in the forward group. The speedy Donaldson had a goal and an assist as a freshman in 2019, and Parham has collected a pair of goals thus far, including the tally in a 1-0 win over Boston University that earned her a Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week award as a sophomore.
"Rylee is very fast, just a tremendous athlete who can get in behind defenders and create all kinds of problems," said Cook. "Emilene is a very crafty player who brings a ton of experience and technical ability."
A host of younger players will be vying for goal-scoring opportunities as well, including freshmen Paige Temple, Kalli Wethern, Kelley Francis and Katie Schiano, along with sophomore Mary Santelli. Temple led nearby Bloomsburg High School to a state championship last fall, with the last of her 90 career goals giving her team a 1-0 win in the state final. Francis scored 71 goals in just 31 career high school games in Colorado, and all of the young forward have performed well in training.
"Paige is physical and aggressive, and she has shown a knack for finding many different ways to score goals," said Cook. "Kalli is a strong, fast, athletic striker. She plays a bit more direct, and she came into preseason ready to go. Kelley is a small, technical player who loves to take defenders on 1v1. She can score and create chances for others."
The Bison open the season with three straight home games against Youngstown State, Towson and West Virginia. The Mountaineers, who are ranked 12th in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, come to Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium on Friday, Aug. 27 for the first meeting between the two teams since WVU's 3-0 win in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
The Bison will also play NCAA Tournament-caliber teams such as Hofstra, Princeton and Monmouth on the road to help prepare for the rigors of Patriot League play.
"Our non-conference schedule is very difficult, and that is by design," said Cook, who led the Bison to back-to-back Patriot League titles in 2016 and 2017. "We want to test ourselves against good competition who play a variety of styles as we build up to Patriot League play."
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